Jackie M - Concord (closed)

We had heard about how amazing Jackie M's cuisine was and yet, living 5 mins away from it, we had procrastinated 2 years before actually giving it a visit. Our procrastination ended just in time - as Jackie M was scheduled to close just weeks after our visit (to focus on her catering business).

I first ordered their iced milk coffee. I really like asian iced milk coffee - but this was definitely made from powder as there was undissolved powder left at the bottom of the glass. Hence, I was a bit disappointed by this - wasn't anywhere as strong or as flavoursome enough.

In terms of dishes, one that we opted for was the beef rendang. This came on a slightly smaller scale than expected. However, it was chockablock full of stringy beef and deliciousness spices and flavours. This was perfect when eaten with the roti. The roti here has got to be one of the best I've ever had - super super flakey, super super light, super super crisp, and super super soft all in one bite. Deliciousness!

I had also read about how their chai tow kway (fried radish cake) was amazing and hence, I simply just HAD to order it. I wasn't disappointed. Yummy stir-fry of shredded radish cake with garlic, beansprouts, chives, egg and preserved radish. Yes - slightly greasy but so subtly tasty when it all clings to that sweet salty sauce.

Hubby also wanted some greens so the Kang Kong was ordered. Slightly spicier than the type I like, but tasty (and oily) all the same.

In sum, Jackie M is slightly more expensive than most other Malaysian restaurants but it is still tasty. No doubt that their catering business (and takehome meals) will be just as tasty (but possibly just as pricey).

Ratings:
Food - 7.5/10
Service - 7/10
Ambiance - 6.5/10
Value for money - 6.5/10
Overall - 27.5/40

Jackie M - http://www.jackiem.com.au/

Thai Eatery - Concord

My partner and I decided to grab a quick thai dinner locally at Thai Eatery. I ordered my usual - Chicken Pad Thai, whereas my partner opted for a Duck red curry with rice.

Service here is quite quick and efficient. Ordered quickly, food came quickly, finished eating quickly. My Pad Thai was really delicious. The noodles was cooked just right and there was just the right amount of sauce - not too soggy, not too dry. YUM :)

chicken pad thai

My partner's duck curry was also quite delicious. The curry was a good consistency, there was a good amount of duck and veges in it. Not bad at all.

Duck red curry

Overall - it was a good local thai eatery :)

Ratings:
Food - 8.5/10
Service - 7/10
Ambiance - 7/10
Value for money - 7.5/10
Overall - 30/40

Thai Eatery
47 Majors Bay Road
Concord
NSW 2137
Tel: (02) 9736 3334

Expresso Organica - Concord

We were wondering what to have for lunch on Sat and the first thing that came into our minds was - Charcoal Chicken. However, having driven along the M4 already in the morning and was stupidly stuck in Saturday traffic, driving to Granville seemed slightly out of the question. Instead, we opted to check out a local eating hangout that is oh so close to us - and yet, in our half a year of residence, had not been to - Majors Bay Road in Concord.

Walking along the road, I was impressed by the amount of eateries on the road. It made for a hard decision but in the end, we opted for a reasonably packed cafe - Expresso Organica.

It was a hot and humid day and hence, ice cold drinks were ordered immediately. My hubby went for the Mango Blast ($6.50) which was a blend of mango, "freshly squeezed" orange juice (which came straight from your normal OJ bottles), and mango sorbet. The drink normally came with banana, but my hubby left it out for my sake :) The drink was thick and rich and juicy and sweet and refreshing. YUM. My Pineapple Crush ($6.50) was also thirst-quenching. Icey concoction of pineapple, "freshly squeezed" orange juice and pineapple sorbet gave that sense of healthiness and freshness (even thought the sugar levels are off the radar). Not a bad drink to down when it's hot.

Mango blast - 6.5

Pineapple crush - $6.50

Food-wise, my hubby opted for the Greek Style Calamari ($19). This was pineapple cut squid tossed in garlic, parsley, sea salt and cracked pepper then deep-fried to perfection. It was soft and tender and super tasty. The lemon zest aioli was also simply superb (I just wish there was more of it). The calamari came with a nicely tossed roquette salad and yummy herbed chips.

Greek Style Calamari - $19

My Chicken Fillet Burger ($14) also came with the super yummy herbed chips. In the open burger were generous fillets of chargrilled chicken with mixed leaves, tomato, avocado and cheese. The real winner was the mustard aioli. It was sooooo yummy! I think that I have to somehow learn to make my own aioli :)

Chicken Fillet Burger - $14

This cafe isn't big, the food didn't come super quick, but everything was friendly and cozy enough. The food was decent in proportion and taste. Not a bad local hangout.

Ratings:
Food - 8/10
Service - 7/10
Ambiance - 6.5/10
Value for money - 7/10
Overall - 28.5/40

Expresso Organica

49A Majors Bay Road
Concord
NSW 2137
Tel: (02) 9736 3222

Pane e Vino - Concord

Brunch time!
This time, we took off to Pane e Vino in Concord - which is a cafe by day, restaurant by night.

Pane e Vino

I had a huge coffee craving and hence, coffee was definately on my agenda. My capp was average. Not bad, good amount of foam and chocolate powder but... I don't know. Sydney coffee still lacks the strong aroma-ness of asian coffees (say, Viet coffee) and the creamy richeness of Italian coffee (or even Melbourne coffee). Nonetheless, the coffee wasn't bad.

Cappuccino

Foodwise, my partner opted for the "breakfast in concord" ($14.50). This was 2 poached eggs sitting on top of a huge paella of richly herbed tomatoey baked organic cannellini beans. Bits of bocconcini and fresh basil were scattered throughout and 2 bread slices (slightly burnt) was served on the side. To me, this was eating a fancy version of baked beans on toast with eggs... except the beans were more richly bathed in tomato sauce. Didn't appeal to me too much. My partner said it was average - I think he would have liked a bit of meat on it :P

breakfast in concord- $14.50

I chose the "concord express" ($7.50) which was 2 eggs cooked however I wanted (in my case, poached) and served with in-house baked bread. A load of extras were available (mushrooms, tomato, sausage, hashbrowns, bacon, beans spinach). I decided to add chicken sausage ($3) and a hash brown ($1.50) to mine. The sausages didn't look too appetising - wrinkly weird orangey-yellowish colour - BUT tasted awesome! My eggs were cooked perfectly - just the right amount of runniness. My hashbrown was a bit too crusty. And my bread was good. So all up, I enjoyed my brunch :)

concord express - $7.50 (+ sausage $3 + hashbrown $1.50)

Service is not the most attentive, but they get by. The food seems to be fresh - they do their best. And ambiance-wise is pretty good. Chillaxy open cafe.

Ratings:
Food - 7/10
Service - 7/10
Ambiance - 7.5/10
Value for money - 7/10
Overall - 28.5/40

Pane e Vino
50 Mortlake Street
Concord
NSW 2171
Tel: (02) 8765 8818